New England Patriots: Grading the Stephon Gilmore Signing

The New England Patriots have a way of operating in free agency that can often lull teams and fans to sleep, but also can be so lethal.

They’ll be quiet for a couple years, sign some fringe guys for depth. Then all of sudden out of nowhere they hit hard and fast for a couple big names. Already they’ve done that before the market has barely begun to shake out. Former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore decided to join is AFC East division rival for upwards of $14 million per year. A surprise move that has the entire league buzzing. Not to mention wondering about what they might have planned.

The 26-year old is no doubt anxious to win after several years of losing in western New York. He’s gone to the right place for sure. Here is what NFL Mocks had to say about him prior to the beginning of free agency and who the Patriots are now getting.

"“Over the last five years, there hasn’t been a more productive player for the Buffalo Bills than Stephon Gilmore. The former 10th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, Gilmore has a high price tag and is unlikely to re-sign with the Bills. He’s had 62 pass deflections and 14 interceptions during that span. Rumors are swirling around that he’ll command over $10 million dollars per year and there are plenty of teams with more cap space than the Bills and even higher need at the cornerback position than them.”"

Grade:  B+

Signing Gilmore was expensive but the Patriots had money to burn. Doing so allowed them to enact another part of their plan which was to ship restricted free agent Malcolm Butler to the Saints in exchange for speedy receiver Brandin Cooks. Thus they gain one Pro Bowl cornerback who is actually younger than the one they traded away. All the while getting yet another offensive weapon for Tom Brady. That is winning business in the NFL.